In the courtyard, plum blossoms accompanied the snow and moonlight reflected on the wine. Mengqi looked at Qi Zhengyan solemnly, waiting for his reply.
Coincidentally, Qi Zhengyan came over to learn from each other. Mengqi told him about his encounter with the Outsky Strange Stone in the Three Mountains and Four Waters and obtained some inheritance with the help of the thunderbolt mark. He emphasized the Sect of Mistress Su's pursuit of the successor of Thunder God. He did not doubt that Gu Xiaosang was lying because it was a fact that the Seven Heavenly Fairies suddenly appeared in the Three Mountains and Four Waters. The Iron Hand Devilman and the Joy Devilman must have been fake.
Mengqi had mentioned the thunderbolt mark last time, so Qi Zhengyan was not surprised. He just sighed and said, "Junior Brother Meng, since you obtained the inheritance of the Gist of Trueness of Ananda's Oath-breaking Bladesmanship, you have had many adventures. It's really enviable."
He did not dwell on this issue. After a pause, he said seriously, "If it's true, we must solve it as soon as possible. 'Gentleman Sword' Mengqi is my cousin. Everyone in Yi City knows it."
If the Sect of Mistress Su was sure that the 'Gentleman Sword' was the successor of Thunder God, they would naturally target Qi Zhengyan if they could not find Mengqi. That was why Qi Zhengyan said so.
Moreover, the cousin relationship between Mengqi and Qi Zhengyan could not stand up to a thorough investigation. Although the Huanhua Swords Sect and the Wang family from Zhou County would at most look up to the rookie on the Ranking List of Young Masters and would not go to the bottom of the matter, the Sect of Mistress Su would certainly not let go of any details for the inheritance of Thunder God.
"Senior Brother Qi, it's my fault for not doing things properly." Mengqi apologized sincerely. "Senior Brother Qi, please help me spread the news that Shan Xiumei is the successor of the Mystic Fairy of the Sect of Mistress Su. I don't want people to believe it, but just want to arouse suspicion and vigilance. If the elders of the Wang family have any doubts, they will secretly use methods to identify the women around the legitimate son."
"Shan Xiumei is difficult to deal with because she is hiding in the Wang family. If she acts alone, we can take back the Outsky Strange Stone and completely eliminate any future troubles."
Based on Gu Xiaosang's killing of the Seven Heavenly Fairies all by herself and chasing after Shan Xiumei, Meng Qi was able to judge the strength of the Successor of Mystic Fairy. She was obviously weaker than Gu Xiaosang. No matter how strong she was, she would at most be in the top ten of the Ranking List of Young Masters. Even if he and Qi Zhengyan could not defeat her, they would still be able to take back the Outsky Strange Stone.
But Meng Qi was a little confused. She could have forced Shan Xiumei out of the Wang family by spreading the news. Why didn't she? Even if she did not use the power of the Luo Denomination, with her resourceful mind, she could easily settle this matter.
The biggest reason why Mengqi did not want to cooperate with her was that he could not figure out Gu Xiaosang's real purpose.
Qi Zhengyan nodded gently. "It doesn't matter. People in Jianghu are always helpless. In the future, I may implicate you. We are friends of life and death, so we should help each other. I have been in Yedu for half a year. Spreading the news will not expose me."
Mengqi had been practicing hard in Jianghu for half a year. Even if he wanted to spread the news, he could not find a safe and secret channel. Therefore, he could only ask Qi Zhengyan for help. He was the manager of the Huanhua Swords Sect. Although he had been hiding his strength and biding his time, he still had his own "Jianghu network" by selling stolen gems and other things.
Watching Qi Zhengyan leave, Mengqi looked at the red plum blossoms and sighed.
"The tree wants peace, but the wind will not stop …"
…
With the sound of firecrackers, every family had a new peach to replace the old one. After the new year, all the martial clubs in the city welcomed the triennial contest, which was also a preview of the Military Selection at the end of spring and the beginning of summer.
All the disciples of the Green Peak Martial Club were led by the club owner, He Ye, to the "Sun-scorching Martial Club" two streets away. This was the place where the contest was held.
Looking at the magnificent gate and horizontal board, He Mu trembled nervously.
For the past few days, he had been practicing the "story" taught by Teacher Su. He wanted to memorize it by heart and gradually gained some confidence. However, when the Sun-scorching Martial Arts School appeared in front of him, he realized that he still could not control his nervousness. He could not help but worry about his gains and losses. The confidence that he had finally found was nowhere to be found.
"He Mu, don't embarrass the martial club and disappoint the club owner's master." Fifth Brother saw He Mu's nervousness and said with disappointment.
He had always been indignant and wondered why the club owner's master chose He Mu. He Mu had only defeated him twice and lost more times. In terms of excellence, at least a dozen people in the martial club were far better than He Mu!
Many disciples of the Green Peak Martial Club had the same mentality. Eldest Sister, Second Brother, and Third Brother were so powerful that they could not be jealous of them. Little Nineteen and Cheng Qilang were so talented that their master had always favored them. Everyone was used to it. But why did he send an ordinary He Mu?
Feeling the unfriendly eyes of some of the senior and junior brothers, He Mu became more nervous. He could only try to recall the peace and tranquility of listening to Mr. Su reciting poems under the plum tree.
"Senior Brother He, since our master likes you, he must have his reasons. Don't be nervous. Be yourself." Qu Tianhe saw He Mu's absent-minded look and kindly encouraged him.
He Mu nodded gratefully and took a deep breath. Thinking of Mr. Su's always calm appearance and the stories he "made up", he gradually calmed down.
The Scarlet Sun Martial Arts School was huge and had several training halls. Each training hall had seven or eight arenas. There was also a second floor where one could look down from the railings. Guests from aristocratic families, sects, and gangs casually looked down, searching for young experts who had risen to fame before the tournament.
He Mu went to the arena in a daze. In front of him was a handsome young man, who was only one or two years older than He Mu.
This arena did not attract much attention. There were only some people from the Green Peak Martial Club and the friends, relatives, and senior and junior brothers of the young man.
"Huanzhong Martial Club, Bai Liang." The young man bowed to register.
He Mu shivered again and stammered, "Green Peak, He Mu from the Green Peak Martial Club."
The Hengzhong Martial Club was not far from the Green Peak Martial Club. He Mu had heard of Bai Liang, who had been defeated by his Third Brother by one move. He was much stronger than He Mu.
The judge on the stage shook his head and laughed. What kind of person did Old He send? Is he his relative? "
He coughed and said, "Start."
Bai Liang didn't decline modestly. His sword was swift and fierce. He wanted to end the fight quickly so that it wouldn't affect the next few matches today. The Martial Club Competition had a total of five days. The first day required the most matches to eliminate most of the weaker people and ensure that the next four days would be exciting.
"My opponent is advancing quickly. I should avoid his attack and lead him into the trap …" This was a plot in the "story" made up by Mengqi. He Mu had been thinking about it for days and quickly came up with a countermeasure.
However, it was his first time to participate in such an important competition. He was not calm and sincere because he kept repeating the story in his heart. His reaction was half a beat slower and he stepped back. He did not raise his long sword and was almost cut by Bai Liang.
Bai Liang did not let He Mu off easily and continued to press forward. He Mu stumbled and stumbled. It was very difficult for him, but he meticulously used his sword art to tell a story.
"Shameful!" The Fifth Senior Brother snorted under the arena. He Mu was too embarrassed!
He Mu did not hear his words. As the competition went on, he found that his opponent was getting deeper and deeper into his story. Every response triggered the plot that he had prepared for a long time!
His inner nervousness gradually turned into excitement. His eyes were clear and his moves were no longer hesitant and slow. He was like a calm hunter who was tempting his prey and patiently waiting for him to step into the trap. Then, he would play a turning point with him!
Now is the time! He Mu's eyes were fixed. He did not advance but retreated and slashed with his long sword.
After two clangs, Bai Liang's long sword fell to the ground. His eyes were dull as if he did not expect that he would be defeated so suddenly!
The judge shook his head. Bai Liang was eager to attack and the flaw of his side became more and more obvious. He Mu was so lucky!
He Mu's face was full of joy. He was no longer nervous. He was full of confidence in his sword art and Mr. Su's story.
I can also be so strong!
I can really tell stories with sword art!
At this time, how could he not understand that Mr. Su was a master, a real master!
The Fifth Brother opened his mouth and could not believe that He Mu had won. He usually had no chance of winning against Bai Liang, let alone He Mu who was weaker than him!
He Mu jumped out of the arena and was full of expectations for the next fight.
The next day, he fought another four fights and became familiar with the story made up by Mengqi. Different opponents had different ups and downs. From being surrounded by danger to turning defeat into victory, to being calm and composed, everything was under his control.
In the last fight, his performance had attracted the attention of many people in the Martial Arts Club. He Ye was even more surprised. He was the one who taught him the sword art, but why did He Mu's combination give him a different feeling?
"Not bad." He Ye praised He Mu. He felt that he had not misjudged He Mu. He Mu's use of the sword was clever and unexpected. "Your opponent tomorrow is Cao Chengye from the Sun-scorching Martial Club. He has just opened his Eye Apertures and is going to cultivate in the Wang family. You just need to play your sword art well. Don't worry about winning or losing."
"Yes, Club Master." He Mu did not think that he could win. Even if Cao Chengye had just opened his Apertures, there was still a huge gap between him and someone who had reached the primary level of Qi-cultivation. He was happy that he seemed to have touched a new world, a new world of telling stories with sword art!
After returning to the Martial Arts Club, He Mu thought for a while and decided to stay and practice hard. After everyone left, he quietly went to the door of Mengqi and knocked.
"Come in, the door is not locked." He heard Mr. Su's warm voice.
He opened the door and saw Mr. Su sitting in the corridor. In front of him was an incomplete game of Go. Beside him was a copper stove with smoke curling up. The warm sandalwood fragrance filled the cold and made people quiet.
"Did you win?" Mengqi looked at the chessboard in front of him and asked casually, thinking about the Bright Sword.
He Mu quickly answered, "I won five games. Thank you for your advice, Mr. Su."
"Not bad. You learned quickly." Mengqi looked up at him and praised him with a smile. "Continue tomorrow."
"I'm afraid we can't continue tomorrow." He Mu whispered, "My opponent is a master who has just opened his Apertures."
Mengqi became interested and said, "Just opened his Apertures? This kind of person is rarely seen in the Martial Arts Club Competition, right? "
"Yes, he has been selected to cultivate in the Wang family." He Mu answered honestly.
"The Wang family …" Mengqi thought for a while and asked with a smile, "Do you want to win?"
"How, how can I win?" He Mu's eyes widened. This is impossible!
"You have no chance of winning in a normal fight. But this is a competition." Mengqi smiled and said, "Today you used your sword to tell a story to everyone. If your opponent is not careless, he will definitely ask someone about it. So he will have an image of you in his mind. Well, you are a cautious swordsman who is good at tricking people."
"In other words, you used today's experience and performance to tell the beginning of a very credible story to your opponent! Hey, using a sword to tell a story is not limited to a competition … "
He Mu was dumbfounded. He didn't quite understand. Could his performance today be the beginning of another story of the competition?
This is really hard to imagine!
If this is a chess game, this is really far-reaching!
Mengqi put down the black chess piece in his hand and said seriously, "You can't fight with him, so you have to use this credible story to give him a reversal, a reckless and quick story …"
He told the new "story" to He Mu. He Mu was shocked and couldn't believe it. "Can, can it work?"
"I will lose anyway. Why not have a try?" Mengqi chuckled.
He Mu nodded hard and said, "Thank you, Mr. Su."
He had a kind of blind confidence in Mr. Su.
Mengqi stood up and looked at the yard with his hands clasped behind his back. He said calmly,
"After today, no matter you win or lose, don't come to me again."
"Why, why?" He Mu asked anxiously.
Mengqi did not look back and sighed, "Fate comes and goes.
It's time for me to embark on my journey. Think about these stories by yourself. If we meet again in the future, I hope you have become a master of sword. "
He Mu bit his lips and said, "Yes, Mr. Su."
When he left the yard in disappointment, Qi Zhengyan walked out of the wing room and said with a sigh, "Junior Brother Meng, are you a little sad? Are you worried about the upcoming journey, about the Sect of the Plain Lady, or about the Death Task? "
Mengqi looked up at the plum blossom and said leisurely, "Senior Brother Qi, don't you think this state, grace, and a touch of sadness fit the image of a master of seclusion?"
Qi Zhengyan clenched his fists and slowly loosened them. "Today, Madam Wang secretly checked Shan Xiumei's martial arts foundation. There is no problem at all. She is not the Sect of the Plain Lady."
"What?" Mengqi turned to look at Qi Zhengyan.
…
The next day, in the Sun-scorching Martial Club.
Wang Ce took Shan Xiumei to the second floor and said apologetically, "Xiumei, my mother is making a fuss over a minor issue. Don't take it to heart."
"I know the matter of the Iron Hand Devilman has made everyone suspect me, but I am innocent." Shan Xiumei answered indifferently with a hint of stubbornness.
Wang Ce smiled flatteringly and said, "Of course I believe you."
He looked down and deliberately changed the topic. "Xiumei, the Martial Club Competition is a grand event in Yedu. You have to comment on it later."
